Blow It Up

Summary

Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities: "Blow It Up" – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Blow It Up
Release Date: May 20, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild
Description: From the creator of the hit podcast Lore, Cabinet of Curiosities offers bite-sized storytelling experiences. Each twice-weekly episode features two short tales that navigate listeners through the unbelievable, unsettling, and bizarre facets of history and the unknown.

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1. The Ingenious Canadarm: Canada’s Gift to Space Exploration

Timestamp: [01:17] – [05:44]

In the opening segment of "Blow It Up," Aaron Mahnke delves into the collaborative spirit that defines modern space exploration, highlighting the pivotal role played by Canada through the development of the Canadarm.

Historical Context and Collaboration

Mahnke begins by contrasting the often nationalistic narratives of the space race with the current era of global collaboration exemplified by the International Space Station (ISS). He emphasizes that unlike territorial divisions on Earth, space necessitates cooperative engineering and shared technological advancements.

Development of the Canadarm

During the early 1970s, NASA embarked on the shuttle program with the ambition of creating a reusable spacecraft capable of multiple missions. A critical component of this design was a robotic arm to manage cargo and equipment in the harsh environment of space. The Canadian Space Agency answered this call with the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS), later affectionately known as the Canadarm.

Notable Achievements and Legacy

Debuting aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981, the SRMS proved to be a monumental success. Mahnke notes, “It could lift up to 266kg of weight in zero gravity, all while using no more electricity than a teakettle” ([03:15]). The Canadarm not only facilitated cargo operations but also played a crucial role in deploying satellites and even supporting astronauts during spacewalks. Its versatility ensured its usage for over three decades, leading to the development of successors like Canadarm2 and Canadarm3, integral to the ISS and the Lunar Gateway project.

Impact and Recognition

Mahnke concludes this segment by celebrating Canada’s significant contribution to space technology. He states, “Our spacecraft are a little more handy” ([05:10]), acknowledging the indispensable role of the Canadarm in enhancing the functionality and flexibility of space missions.

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2. Project A119: The US Military’s Secret Plan to Nuke the Moon

Timestamp: [07:51] – [12:28]

Shifting gears, Mahnke explores one of the most audacious and lesser-known chapters of the Cold War—the United States Air Force’s clandestine plan to detonate a nuclear device on the Moon, codenamed Project A119.

Origins and Motivation

In the late 1950s, amidst the intense rivalry of the space race following the Soviet Union’s successful launch of Sputnik in 1958, the US sought a bold statement of supremacy. Conventional satellite launches were no longer sufficient to assert dominance, prompting military strategists to envision a more spectacular demonstration.

The Plan: Nuking the Moon

Project A119 proposed detonating a nuclear warhead approximately the size of the one dropped on Hiroshima on the Moon’s surface. The primary objectives were twofold:

1. Demonstrate Military Might: By showcasing the capability to weaponize space, the US aimed to project unparalleled strength.
2. Visual Spectacle: The explosion, ideally set on the Moon’s dark side, would create a visible flash from Earth, serving as a potent symbol of American dominance.

Scientific and Ethical Concerns

Mahnke recounts the internal conflict within the project’s advisory teams. "Many of those scientists balked at what they'd been asked to do" ([09:45]), citing fears of contaminating the pristine lunar environment and the potential risks of radioactive debris returning to Earth. Despite scientific reservations, the Air Force remained focused on the public relations impact rather than the environmental implications.

Cancellation and Aftermath

The project ultimately fell apart when scientists realized the visual effects would be underwhelming due to the Moon’s lack of atmosphere, resulting in “just a silent burst of light followed by a lot of dust” ([11:35]). Relieved by the cancellation, the scientific community could pivot towards more constructive endeavors, leading directly to the successful Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Mahnke intriguingly links this episode to Carl Sagan, a young astronomer involved in Project A119, suggesting that this near-miss with lunar destruction may have deepened Sagan’s appreciation for the Moon.

Legacy

“...the original team of Canadian scientists invented one of the most enduring pieces of space technology” ([04:30]), Mahnke notes, drawing a parallel to the earlier discussion on the Canadarm. The avoidance of Project A119 not only preserved the Moon’s integrity but also underscored the importance of ethical considerations in scientific and military endeavors.

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Conclusion

In "Blow It Up," Aaron Mahnke masterfully intertwines tales of ambition, innovation, and ethical dilemmas in the realm of space exploration. From celebrating Canada’s invaluable Canadarm to uncovering a near-catastrophic Cold War plan, the episode underscores humanity’s complex relationship with the final frontier. Through engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, Mahnke invites listeners to reflect on the delicate balance between technological advancement and moral responsibility.

Notable Quotes:

• Mahnke on the SRMS efficiency: “It could lift up to 266kg of weight in zero gravity, all while using no more electricity than a teakettle.” ([03:15])
• On Project A119’s underwhelming visual impact: “Just a silent burst of light followed by a lot of dust.” ([11:35])
• Celebrating the Canadarm’s contribution: “Our spacecraft are a little more handy.” ([05:10])

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Stay Curious:
To immerse yourself in more intriguing stories like these, subscribe to Cabinet of Curiosities on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or your preferred podcast platform. For further exploration, visit the Curiosities Podcast website.

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Note: This summary intentionally excludes promotional segments, advertisements, and non-content sections to provide a focused overview of the episode's core narratives.

Transcript

[Aaron Manke]

You're listening to an iHeart podcast.

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[Amy Bruni]

Welcome to Erin Menke's Cabinet of Curiosities, a production of iHeartRadio and Grim and Mild.

[Aaron Manke]

Our world is full of the unexplainable, and if history is an open book, all of these amazing tales are right there on display, just waiting for us to explore. Welcome to the Cabinet of Curiosities. History books love to discuss space exploration in nationalistic terms. This is an unsurprising tendency. After all, the space race is one of the most famous chapters in the history of the Cold War. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy famously declared that America would put a man on the moon. It was, in his speech, a way of bringing the pioneer spirit of America into the future. The speech, of course, came over a year after the Soviet Union had successfully sent the first man into space. And later, one of the more iconic images associated with the space race would be the American flag planted on the moon. However, we can't forget that the realm of space exploration is now one of global collaboration. The most famous spacecraft is still the International Space Station, which is maintained by five separate space agencies, each belonging to a different country. The hostile environment of space is not as easily divided as an island or a landmass here on Earth. Like the ships that set sail centuries ago, spacecraft are cobbled together from different pieces, only instead of a mast and sails that are constructed at different ports, and we have entire Engineering systems that require rigorous testing to perfect. In the early 1970s, NASA was in the early stages of their shuttle program. Its purpose was to create a spacecraft that could be reused in multiple trips out of the atmosphere. A space truck which could ferry cargo. The eventual design of the shuttle would include a large cargo hold that opened outward. It was an efficient system, allowing NASA to make the most of the shuttle's interior. However, a cargo hold that opens outward into space requires someone or something on the outside to receive it. They needed some sort of robotic arm to unload and deposit supplies and gear. The eventual solution to this need would be developed by a team of engineers working for the Canadian Space Agency. NASA's technical requirements were very specific. The thing needed to function in microgravity and operate with a fraction of the space shuttle's electrical supply. It had to be resistant to the extreme heat of the sun and the extreme cold of night. In space, the shuttle Remote manipulator system, or SRMS, would be deployed for the first time in 1981 aboard the Space shuttle Columbia. Emblazoned with the Canadian flag, it was a resounding success. It could lift up to 266kg of weight in zero gravity, all while using no more electricity than a teakettle. The SRMs would remain in use for over 30 years. And its function was not only limited to hauling cargo. It could lift and deposit astronauts themselves onto different parts of the shuttle, deploy satellites, and once they even put a pair of IMAX cameras on the end of it to capture the astronauts at work. July of 2011 was the last time this particular SRMS was used in space, Although iterations of the design have been employed since. Its two successors were designed specifically to interface with the International Space Station and Lunar Gateway, which means that original team of Canadian scientists invented one of the most enduring pieces of space technology. And the device itself would earn an official name that more properly recognized its origin. Shuttle Remote Manipulator System is a practical name, but it's a mouthful for most of us. To the public at large, the SRMS is known simply as the Canadarm. Its successors would be Canadarm2, developed in 2001, and Canadarm3, developed in 2024. So if the thought of the space race fills you with national pride, you're not the only one. The final frontier is one of many flags, many nations, and a whole lot of empty space. When you travel beyond the bounds of our little blue planet, it's best not to go there alone. Give a salute to Canada for making greater flexibility in space possible. And thanks to those engineers and their robotic arm, our spacecraft are a little more handy.

[Talkspace Sponsor]

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[Aaron Manke]

In his groundbreaking pop science book Pale Blue dot com, the famed astronomer, TV personality and science communicator Carl Sagan reflected on the moon's constant presence in our skies. It was there when our ancestors first descended from the trees into the savannas, he said, when we learned to walk upright, when we first devised stone tools, when we domesticated fire, when we invented agriculture and built cities and set out to subdue The Earth. For the past 4.5 billion years, the Moon has been our nightly companion, watching over us from the heavens. But that doesn't guarantee that it will always be there or never change. In fact, not too long ago, the US military came with a hair trigger of blowing it up. It was the late 1950s, the height of the Cold War, and America was embroiled in a space race with the Soviet Union. Both countries top scientists were hell bent on one upping the other. And the United States was losing. In 1958, the Soviets launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, into orbit. Americans were desperate for a rebuttal, something big, bold and visible. More satellites would feel like old news. And the technology to put a man on the moon was still years away. That's when the Air Force settled on a plan with significantly more oomph. We would nuke the Moon. As they saw, detonating a nuclear warhead on the Moon would achieve two things. First, it would demonstrate American military might and control over space. And second, it would create a massive explosion visible from Earth, proving US dominance to the world and more importantly, to the Soviets. This proposal, internally known as Project A119, called for a nuclear warhead roughly the size of the one dropped on Hiroshima to be launched at the Moon's surface. The Air Force was particularly interested in detonating on the dark side of the moon, where the flash would be the brightest. Ideally, the mushroom cloud could be backlit by the sun, creating a spectacular show. It sounds like something out of a cheesy sci fi movie, but the military was dead serious. They even hired some of the country's top astronomers and physicists to work out the details. Many of those scientists balked at what they'd been asked to do, fearing that nuclear radiation would permanently contaminate the lunar environment, which had been untouched for billions of years. It would never be possible to study samples of the Moon before it was bombed, and landing on the surface would be riskier in the decades to come. There were also fears that radioactive debris would fall back on the Earth, or that the explosion might affect the Moon's orbit. But the science suggested that both of these were unlikely. So the military wasn't concerned. No, they were far more focused on the PR angle. Specifically, they worried that the explosion would damage the man in the Moon, the faint impressions that people have long interpreted as a human face. Ultimately, though, the project was scrapped for an even more shallow reason. The scientists working on the project convinced military brass that the visual demonstration wouldn't be nearly as impressive as they'd hoped for. The moon doesn't have an atmosphere, so there would be no dramatic fireball or shockwave, just a silent burst of light followed by a lot of dust. A far cry from the breathtaking show of might that the U.S. air Force was hoping for. So the project was canceled and the US focused on a less violent lunar goal. When Apollo 11 landed on the moon in 1969, America won the space race without blowing up any celestial bodies. And no one was more relieved than the scientists who worked on Project A119. One of those men was a recent college grad named Carl Sagan. The young astronomer would eventually become one of the most recognizable scientists of the 20th century, hosting the show Cosmos, writing influential books and helping popularize space science. And we can speculate that he may have gained his deep appreciation for our lunar partner while working on that top secret project A119. After all, he was one of the few people on Earth who knew just how close we came to blowing up the Moon. I hope you've enjoyed today's guided tour of the Cabinet of Curiosities. Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts or learn more about the show by visiting Curiosities Podcast. The show was created by me, Aaron Manke, in partnership with How Stuff Works. I make another award winning show called Lore, which is a podcast, book series and television show and you can learn all about it [e-mail] and until next time, stay curious.

[Talkspace Sponsor]

This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Talkspace, the leading virtual therapy provider, is telling everyone let's face it in therapy, by talking or texting with a supportive licensed therapist at Talkspace, you can face whatever is holding you back, whether it's mental health symptoms, relationship drama, past trauma, bad habits or another challenge that you need support to work through. It's easy to sign up. Just go to talkspace.com and you'll be paired with a provider, typically within 48 hours. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll meet on your schedule. Plus, Talkspace is in network with most major insurers and most insured members have a $0 copay. Make your mental health a priority and start today. If you're not covered by insurance, get $80 off your first month with Talkspace when you go to talkspace.com and enter promo code SPACE80. That's S P A CE80 to match with a licensed therapist today, go to talkspace.com and Enter promo code SPACE80.

[Aaron Manke]

You're listening to an iHeart podcast.